System and method for simulating group play within asynchronous videogame content

ABSTRACT

To simulate group play, player controlled characters may be grouped prior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Then separate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may be provided to players associated with individual ones of the grouped player controlled characters. In the separate instance provided to a given player, secondary instances of the player controlled characters other than the player controlled character being controlled by the given player may be controlled automatically to accompany the player controlled character being controlled by the given player.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/366,078, filed Jul. 20, 2010, and entitled “SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR SIMULATING GROUP PLAY WITHIN ASYNCHRONOUS VIDEOGAMECONTENT”. The U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/366,078 ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the presentapplication.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the simulation of synchronous group playincluding a plurality of players in asynchronous videogame content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of asynchronous videogame content that can be provided toplayers participating in a videogame are known. Such content istypically hosted, served, or otherwise provided to users without directin-game interactions between players that are provided in synchronous,multi-player videogames. Instead, individual players are provided withaccess to separate instances of the asynchronous videogame content thatdoes not represent interactions of other players within the videogame.

Due to the asynchronous nature of known asynchronous videogame content,typically players may not able to participate with each other in groupplay. Instead, any cooperation, competition, or other in-gameinteractions between the players may be accommodated in an asynchronousmanner (e.g., turn-based, leader board competition, and/or otherasynchronous interactions). These types of interactions typically do notprovide for the type of camaraderie, teamwork, and/or sense of communityfostered by group-based synchronous play.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention relates to a system and method that simulategroup play within asynchronous videogame content. Generally,asynchronous videogame content is less expensive to provide to playersthan synchronous videogame content with respect to network bandwidth,system storage, system processing, and/or other cost parameters.Simulating group play within asynchronous videogame content may providesavings with respect to these and/or other cost parameters whilefostering sense of cooperation and/or community typically associatedwith synchronous videogame content. This may have an impact on gainingand/or retaining players of the videogame.

To simulate group play, player controlled characters may be groupedprior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Thenseparate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may beprovided to players associated with individual ones of the groupedplayer controlled characters. In the separate instance provided to agiven player, secondary instances of the player controlled charactersother than the player controlled character being controlled by the givenplayer may be controlled automatically to accompany the playercontrolled character being controlled by the given player. This mayprovide the given player the sense of being accompanied by the otherplayers, even though the player controlled characters associated withthe other players are not actually being controlled by the otherplayers. Sets of asynchronous videogame content may be chained togetherwith synchronization points at which a character group may be updated toreflect previous members that did not complete the previous set ofasynchronous videogame content and/or the addition of new members for anupcoming set of asynchronous videogame content. This may mimic theattrition and/or addition of group members during group play insynchronous videogame content.

In some implementations, the system may include one or more processorsexecuting computer program modules to provide the videogame to theusers. The one or more processors may be located on one or more serversand/or one or more client computing platforms. The one or more computerprogram modules may include one or more of a game module, a groupmodule, a secondary instance module, a character control module, astatus module, and/or other modules.

The game module may be configured to provide the videogame to playersvia client computing platforms. Providing the videogame to players mayinclude providing videogame content to the players. The videogamecontent may define a virtual space. The virtual space may be hosted,served, and/or otherwise provided by the game module. The players mayparticipate in the videogame by controlling player controlled charactersin the virtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputsand/or commands input by the players through the client computingplatforms.

The game module may be configured such that the videogame contentprovided to the players includes separate sets of asynchronous videogamecontent. The separate sets of asynchronous videogame content may includeseparate events, activities, challenges, games, puzzles, training areas,building or crafting areas, gathering or mining areas, quests, spatiallocations, temporal periods (in terms of “videogame time”), interactionswith non-player characters, other discrete sets of videogame content,and/or combinations of the foregoing. Progression of a player controlledcharacter through the videogame may require a player to control theplayer controlled character through these sets of asynchronous videogamecontent.

Successful completion of a set of asynchronous videogame content mayprovide the player controlled character with a benefit in the game. Thebenefits may include bonuses in character metrics such as one or more ofmanna, gold (or other currency), skill or ability metrics, friendship ortrustworthiness metrics, and/or other character metrics. The benefitsmay include virtual objects provided to the player within the virtualspace. The virtual objects may be wearable, bearable, storable,tradable, sellable, transferrable, destroyable, usable, inhabitable,ridable, and/or disposable. The virtual objects may include one or moreof a rare object, an object with abilities, a protective object, a tool,a weapon, a pet, a vehicle, a mount, and/or other objects.

The benefits may include alliances within the videogame. The alliancesmay provide the players with access to areas of the virtual space, aidduring battle, connections for trade, and/or other benefits. Thealliances may be with non-player characters and/or player controlledcharacters. The benefits may include access to and/or control overplaces within the virtual space.

The benefits may include new skills and/or abilities such as climbing,swimming, flight, breathing underwater, passing through tangibleobstructions (e.g., objects, walls, creatures, and/or otherobstructions), partial to complete camouflage and/or invisibility,stealthy activities (e.g., hiding, moving silently, moving in shadow,and/or other activities), accelerated healing, rapid recovery ofstrength and/or any other recoverable attribute, resistance to damagefrom one or more sources (e.g., when struck by iron, acid, and/or othersubstances or weapons), absorption of energy from one or more sources(e.g., healing when struck by wooden weapons rather than being damaged,converting the damage of a fireball into increased magical energy,and/or other absorptions of energy), increased speed, generation of oneor more player or system controlled copies of the original playercontrolled character, the ability to know some to all of the history ofan object in the character's possession or awareness (e.g.,psychometry), the ability to control objects not in the character'spossession (e.g., telekinesis or force field generation), animationand/or control of normally inanimate objects, the ability to transmuteobjects of one material into another (e.g., metal into wood, iron intowater, and/or other transmutations), the ability to generate and/orcontrol visual/auditory/olfactory/kinetic illusions, the ability tochange the size and/or shape of the character or other characters orobjects, the ability to manipulate temperature of one or more objects orwithin one or more areas, the ability to manipulate sound (e.g.,suppressing or amplifying it), the ability to control or manipulateelectric, gravitic and/or magnetic energies/fields, the ability tomanipulate light and/or shadow, the ability to manipulate the skillsand/or abilities and/or other attributes of one or more other characters(e.g., reducing strength to cause weakness or stealing health fromanother character to increase one's own).

The benefits may include new perceptions and/or perceptive abilitiessuch as sound-based vision (e.g., echolocation or sonar) and/or visionusing frequencies of light beyond those initially perceptible to allcharacters; ultra- and/or infrasonic hearing; a ‘danger’ sense notifyingthe player of potential enemies, traps and/or pitfalls within somespecified range; a ‘life’ sense enabling the player to monitor allcharacters and/or creatures within a specified range; an ability todetect material of one or more types (e.g., metal, stone, water, or morespecifically, gold, iron, granite, ivory and/or others) within aspecified range; a mechanic sense providing the player awareness ofmachines within a specified range; senses able to perceive beyond and/orthrough what are obstacles to other characters, such as the ability tosee objects enclosed within an opaque container, or beyond normallimitations such as size, enabling microscopic and/or telescopic vision;and/or other perceptive abilities.

Other benefits are contemplated.

Some sets of asynchronous videogame content may not be available to allof the player controlled characters. For example, some sets ofasynchronous videogame content may be “locked”. To unlock previouslylocked sets of asynchronous videogame content, a player may be requiredto control a corresponding player controlled character to perform somepredetermined task or set of tasks. For example, one set of asynchronousvideogame content may only be accessible, or unlocked, after successfulparticipation in another set of asynchronous videogame content.Successful participation in another set of asynchronous videogamecontent may include completion of the set of asynchronous videogamecontent, performance in excess of some performance threshold in the setof asynchronous videogame content (e.g., winning, beating a scorethreshold, beating a timing threshold, and/or other performancethresholds), performance of some task or activity within the set ofasynchronous videogame content, and/or other standards for success inparticipation in the set of asynchronous videogame content.

The game module may be configured such that the sets of asynchronousvideogame content may be accessible through synchronization points. Oneor more of the sets of asynchronous videogame content are onlyaccessible through a corresponding synchronization point.Synchronization points may include locations within the virtual spacecorresponding to the videogame. The synchronization points may includesynchronous locations in the virtual space in which player controlledcharacters can interact with and/or observe each other in real-time ornear real-time. The synchronization points may be asynchronous locationsin the virtual space defined by asynchronous videogame content. The gamemodule may be configured to enable real-time and/or near real-timecommunication between players present at a synchronization point. Suchcommunication may be accomplished via text chat, instant messaging,voice chat, and/or other communication mechanisms. To access asynchronization point, a player controlled character may be required tointeract with a non-player character, perform a challenge, win achallenge, find an item, enter a code, and/or perform other activities.

The group module may be configured to form character groups of playercontrolled characters so that the player controlled characters mayparticipate in sets asynchronous videogame content in groups. Thecharacter groups of player controlled characters may be formed at thesynchronization points in the videogame. In order to form the charactergroups, the group module may be configured to identify player controlledcharacters present simultaneously at individual synchronization points.

The group module may be configured to form character groupsautomatically. The groups may be determined based on arrival time at thesynchronization point (e.g., each set of four consecutive arrivals);based on races, classes, skills, abilities, and/or other features of theplayer controlled characters at the synchronization point (e.g., somenumber of healers, some number of tanks, some number of casters, somenumber of damage inflicting characters, and/or other criteria); based onplayer controlled character relationships (e.g., factions, guilds,friends, and/or other relationships); and/or based on other criteria.The character groups formed automatically by the group module may beimposed on the player controlled characters at the synchronizationpoint. The character groups formed automatically by the group module maybe suggested to the players controlling the player controlledcharacters.

The group module may be configured to receive group requests fromplayers controlling player controlled characters at the synchronizationpoint. The group requests may be requests to include two or more playercontrolled characters in the same character group. The group module maybe configured to receive group requests from players via a userinterface presented to players through the client computing platforms.

The group module may be configured to present group invitations toplayers controlling player controlled characters that have been invitedto join a character group (e.g., by virtue of a group request), and/orplayers controlling player controlled characters that have beenautomatically grouped by the group module. The group invitations may bepresented to the players via a user interface provided to the playersthrough the client computing platforms. The group module may beconfigured to receive responses of the players to the group invitations.The responses may include acceptances, rejections, and/or proposedmodifications to the character group (e.g., to include additional playercontrolled characters, and/or other modifications).

The secondary instance module may be configured to generate secondaryinstances of player controlled characters. A secondary instance of aplayer controlled character may be an instance of a player controlledcharacter that will not be controlled by the player that typicallycontrols the player controlled character. The secondary instance of aplayer controlled character may include and/or have access to some orall of the skills, attributes, visual characteristics, inventory,alliances, and/or other characteristics of the player controlledcharacter. The secondary instance of a player controlled character mayconstitute a duplicate of the player controlled character, or may bemodified. The modification may be purposeful to designate that thesecondary instance is indeed a secondary instance that is not controlledby the player corresponding to the player controlled character. Forexample, the visual representation of the secondary instance may bevisually marked as a secondary instance.

Responsive to a character group being formed by the group module at asynchronization point, the secondary instance module may be configuredto generate secondary instances of the player controlled characters inthe character group such that a secondary character group may be formedfor each of the player controlled characters that includes a singleplayer controlled character and secondary instances of the other playercontrolled characters in the character group.

By way of non-limiting example, responsive to a character groupincluding a first player controlled character, a second playercontrolled character, and a third player controlled character, a set ofsecondary character groups may be created. The set of secondarycharacter groups may include secondary character groups that correspondto each of the first player controlled character, the second playercontrolled character, and the third player controlled character,respectively.

The secondary character group corresponding to the first playercontrolled character may include the first player controlled characterand secondary instances of the second player controlled character andthe third player controlled character. The secondary character groupcorresponding to the second player controlled character may include thesecond player controlled character and secondary instances of the firstplayer controlled character and the third player controlled character.The secondary character group corresponding to the third playercontrolled character may include the third player controlled characterand secondary instances of the second player controlled character andthe third player controlled character.

Responsive to the generation of secondary instances of the playercontrolled characters in the character group, the game module mayfurther be configured to generate separate instances of the set ofasynchronous videogame content for the individual player controlledcharacters in the character group and their corresponding secondarycharacter groups. Each instance of the set of asynchronous videogamecontent may be provided to an individual player controlling one of theplayer controlled characters in the character group. A given player maycontrol his player controlled character within his instance of the setof asynchronous videogame content while the player controlled characteris accompanied by a corresponding secondary character group made up ofsecondary instances of the other player controlled characters in thecharacter group. Since the set of asynchronous videogame content isasynchronous, the instance of the set of asynchronous videogame contentprovided to the given player will not reflect control of other playersin their separate instances of the set of asynchronous videogamecontent.

The character control module may be configured to control secondaryinstances of player controlled characters in asynchronous videogamecontent. This may include automatically controlling secondary instancesof player controlled characters accompanying a player controlledcharacter being controlled by a player through a set of asynchronousvideogame content.

The status module may be configured to receive information related tothe progress of player controlled characters in character groups withinsets of asynchronous videogame content. The status module may beconfigured to generate, based on the received information, statusupdates to group members of the player controlled characters regardingthe progress of the player controlled characters within the asynchronousvideogame content. The status updates may be presented to the players ina user interface provided through the client computing platforms. Theuser interface may include views of the videogame, with the statusupdates being presented in a real-time or near real-time manner.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to simulate group play withinasynchronous videogame content, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a user interface, according to one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a character group of player controlled characters,according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of secondary character groups, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of simulating group play within asynchronousvideogame content, in accordance with one or more embodiments of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 configured to simulate group play withinasynchronous videogame content. Generally, asynchronous videogamecontent is less expensive to provide to players than synchronousvideogame content with respect to network bandwidth, system storage,system processing, and/or other cost parameters. Simulating group playwithin asynchronous videogame content may provide savings with respectto these and/or other cost parameters while fostering sense ofcooperation and/or community typically associated with synchronousvideogame content. This may have an impact on gaining and/or retainingplayers of the videogame.

To simulate group play, system 10 may group player controlled charactersprior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Thenseparate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may beprovided to players associated with the grouped player controlledcharacters. In the separate instance provided to a given player,secondary instances of the player controlled characters other than theplayer controlled character being controlled by the given player arecontrolled automatically to accompany the player controlled characterbeing controlled by the given player. This gives the given player thesense of being accompanied by the other players, even though the playercontrolled characters associated with the other players are not actuallybeing controlled by the other players.

In some implementations, system 10 may include one or more servers 12,and/or other components. The system 10 may operate in communicationand/or coordination with one or more external resources 14. Players mayinterface with system 10 and/or external resources 14 via clientcomputing platforms 16. The components of system 10, servers 12,external resources 14, and/or client computing platforms 16 may beoperatively linked via one or more electronic communication links. Forexample, such electronic communication links may be established, atleast in part, via a network such as the Internet and/or other networks.It will be appreciated that this is not intended to be limiting, andthat the scope of this disclosure includes implementations in whichservers 12, external resources 14, and/or client computing platforms 16may be operatively linked via some other communication media.

A given client computing platform 16 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program modules. The computer programmodules may be configured to enable one or more players associated withthe given client computing platform 16 to interface with system 10and/or external resources 14, and/or provide other functionalityattributed herein to client computing platforms 16. By way ofnon-limiting example, the given client computing platform 16 may includeone or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheldcomputer, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gaming console, and/or othercomputing platforms.

The external resources 14 may include sources of information, hostsand/or providers of virtual environments outside of system 10, externalentities participating with system 10, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 14 may be provided by resources included in system10.

The server 12 may be configured to provide, or cooperate with clientcomputing platforms 16, to provide a videogame to players. This mayinclude hosting, serving, and/or otherwise providing a virtual space tothe players within which the videogame is played the asynchronousenvironment to the players via client computing platforms 16. The server12 may include electronic storage 18, one or more processors 20, and/orother components. The server 12 may include communication lines, orports to enable the exchange of information with a network and/or othercomputing platforms.

Electronic storage 18 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 18 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server 12and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server 12 via,for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or a drive(e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 18 may include one ormore of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.),magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic harddrive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g.,EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.),and/or other electronically readable storage media. Electronic storage18 may store software algorithms, information determined by processor20, information received from server 12, information received fromclient computing platforms 16, and/or other information that enablesserver 12 to function properly.

Processor(s) 20 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server 12. As such, processor 20 may include one or moreof a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuit designedto process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor 20 is shown in FIG. 1 as asingle entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor 20 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor 20 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination.

As is shown in FIG. 1, processor 20 may be configured to execute one ormore computer program modules. The one or more computer program modulesmay include one or more of a game module 22, a group module 24, asecondary instance module 26, a character control module 28, a statusmodule 30, and/or other modules. Processor 20 may be configured toexecute modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30 by software; hardware;firmware; some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware;and/or other mechanisms for configuring processing capabilities onprocessor 20.

It should be appreciated that although modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30are illustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which processor 20 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30 maybe located remotely from the other modules. The description of thefunctionality provided by the different modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or30 described below is for illustrative purposes, and is not intended tobe limiting, as any of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30 may providemore or less functionality than is described. For example, one or moreof modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30 may be eliminated, and some or allof its functionality may be provided by other ones of modules 22, 24,26, 28, and/or 30. As another example, processor 20 may be configured toexecute one or more additional modules that may perform some or all ofthe functionality attributed below to one of modules 22, 24, 26, 28,and/or 30.

It will be appreciated that the illustration of modules 22, 24, 26, 28,and/or 30 being executed solely on processor 20 separate from clientcomputing platforms 16 is not intended to be limiting. For example, insome implementations, the client computing platforms 16 may beconfigured to provide locally at least some of the functionalityattributed above to one or more of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30.Similarly, one or more of modules 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30 may beexecuted locally on individual client computing platforms 16 whileothers are executed on server 12.

The game module 22 may be configured to provide the videogame to playersvia client computing platforms 16. Providing the videogame to playersmay include providing videogame content to the players. The videogamecontent may define a virtual space. The virtual space may be hosted,served, and/or otherwise provided by game module 22. To provide thevideogame to players via client computing platform 16, game module 22and/or client computing platform 16 may generate views of the videogame(and/or the virtual space) that enable players to participate in thevideogame.

A virtual space may comprise a simulated space (e.g., a physical space)that is accessible by a client (e.g., client computing platforms 16)that presents a view of the virtual space to a player. The simulatedspace may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction bythe player, and/or include one or more objects positioned within thetopography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. In someinstances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. In otherinstances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the virtual space, and/or surfacefeatures of a surface or objects that are “native” to the virtual space.In some instances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the virtualspace. In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with oneor more bodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation ofgravity-deprived space with one or more celestial bodies positionedtherein). A virtual space may include a virtual world, but this is notnecessarily the case. For example, a virtual space may include a gamespace that does not include one or more of the aspects generallyassociated with a virtual world (e.g., gravity, a landscape, etc.).

Within a virtual space provided by virtual environment servers 12,player controlled characters may be controlled by the players tointeract with the virtual space. The player controlled characters mayinclude avatars. As used herein, the term “avatar” may refer to anobject (or group of objects) present in the virtual space thatrepresents an individual player. The avatar may be controlled by theplayer with which it is associated. The avatars may move through andinteract with the virtual space (e.g., non-player characters in thevirtual space, other objects in the virtual space). The avatarassociated with a given player may be created and/or customized by thegiven player. The avatar may be associated with an “inventory” ofvirtual goods and/or currency that the player can use (e.g., bymanipulation of the avatar and/or the items) within the virtual space.

The players may participate in the videogame by controlling playercontrolled characters in the virtual space. Control may be exercisedthrough control inputs and/or commands input by the players throughclient computing platforms 16.

The game module 22 may be configured such that the videogame and/orvirtual space is at least partially text-based. In such implementations,the game module 22 may generate text and/or static graphics that conveyactivities, events, and/or circumstances currently present and/ortranspiring in the videogame. This may include other player's activitiescurrently transpiring within the videogame. The text and/or staticgraphics may be presented to players via client computing platforms 16.

The game module 22 may be configured such that the videogame contentprovided to the players includes separate sets of asynchronous videogamecontent. As used herein, the term “asynchronous videogame content” mayrefer to videogame content (e.g., a portion of the virtual space, anevent in the virtual space, and/or other videogame content) that isprovided to the players individually such that each player may be ableto interact with a separate instance of the asynchronous videogamecontent (and/or view their own interactions) in real-time ornear-real-time. However, interactions of other players with separateinstances of the same asynchronous videogame content may not bereflected in views of the other instances of the asynchronous videogamecontent, at least not in real-time or near-real-time.

In some embodiments, results of interactions of a first player in acorresponding first instance of the videogame content may be conveyed toa second player, but the interactions themselves may not be perceptiblewithin views of a second instance of the videogame content presented tothe second player. For example, interactions of the first player in thefirst instance may have implications for the status, points, and/orinventory of the second player within the second instance. However, theinteractions of the first player in the first instance, for example inthe form of a character controlled by the first player to perform theinteractions, may not be presented to the second player in the views ofthe second instance provided to the second player.

As such, each player may be somewhat isolated within a correspondinginstance of the asynchronous videogame content from the other players.Although the instances of the asynchronous videogame content may be thesame (or include similar features), real-time interaction between theplayers within the different instances of the asynchronous videogamecontent may be limited, if possible at all.

The separate sets of asynchronous videogame content may include separateevents, activities, challenges, games, puzzles, training areas, buildingor crafting areas, gathering or mining areas, quests, spatial locations,temporal periods (in terms of “videogame time”), interactions withnon-player characters, other discrete sets of videogame content, and/orcombinations of the foregoing. Progression of a player controlledcharacter through the videogame may require a player to control theplayer controlled character through these sets of asynchronous videogamecontent.

Successful completion of a set of asynchronous videogame content mayprovide the player controlled character with a benefit in the game. Thebenefits may include bonuses in character metrics such as one or more ofmanna, gold (or other currency), skill or ability metrics, friendship ortrustworthiness metrics, and/or other character metrics. The benefitsmay include virtual objects provided to the player within the virtualspace. The virtual objects may be wearable, bearable, storable,tradable, sellable, transferrable, destroyable, usable, inhabitable,ridable, and/or disposable. The virtual objects may include one or moreof a rare object, an object with abilities, a protective object, a tool,a weapon, a pet, a vehicle, a mount, and/or other objects.

The benefits may include alliances within the videogame. The alliancesmay provide the players with access to areas of the virtual space, aidduring battle, connections for trade, and/or other benefits. Thealliances may be with non-player characters and/or player controlledcharacters. The benefits may include access to and/or control overplaces within the virtual space.

The benefits may include new skills and/or abilities such as climbing,swimming, flight, breathing underwater, passing through tangibleobstructions (e.g., objects, walls, creatures, and/or otherobstructions), partial to complete camouflage and/or invisibility,stealthy activities (e.g., hiding, moving silently, moving in shadow,and/or other activities), accelerated healing, rapid recovery ofstrength and/or any other recoverable attribute, resistance to damagefrom one or more sources (e.g., when struck by iron, acid, and/or othersubstances or weapons), absorption of energy from one or more sources(e.g., healing when struck by wooden weapons rather than being damaged,converting the damage of a fireball into increased magical energy,and/or other absorptions of energy), increased speed, generation of oneor more player or system controlled copies of the original playercontrolled character, the ability to know some to all of the history ofan object in the character's possession or awareness (e.g.,psychometry), the ability to control objects not in the character'spossession (e.g., telekinesis or force field generation), animationand/or control of normally inanimate objects, the ability to transmuteobjects of one material into another (e.g., metal into wood, iron intowater, and/or other transmutations), the ability to generate and/orcontrol visual/auditory/olfactory/kinetic illusions, the ability tochange the size and/or shape of the character or other characters orobjects, the ability to manipulate temperature of one or more objects orwithin one or more areas, the ability to manipulate sound (e.g.,suppressing or amplifying it), the ability to control or manipulateelectric, gravitic and/or magnetic energies/fields, the ability tomanipulate light and/or shadow, the ability to manipulate the skillsand/or abilities and/or other attributes of one or more other characters(e.g., reducing strength to cause weakness or stealing health fromanother character to increase one's own).

The benefits may include new perceptions and/or perceptive abilitiessuch as sound-based vision (e.g., echolocation or sonar) and/or visionusing frequencies of light beyond those initially perceptible to allcharacters; ultra- and/or infrasonic hearing; a ‘danger’ sense notifyingthe player of potential enemies, traps and/or pitfalls within somespecified range; a ‘life’ sense enabling the player to monitor allcharacters and/or creatures within a specified range; an ability todetect material of one or more types (e.g., metal, stone, water, or morespecifically, gold, iron, granite, ivory and/or others) within aspecified range; a mechanic sense providing the player awareness ofmachines within a specified range; senses able to perceive beyond and/orthrough what are obstacles to other characters, such as the ability tosee objects enclosed within an opaque container, or beyond normallimitations such as size, enabling microscopic and/or telescopic vision;and/or other perceptive abilities.

Other benefits are contemplated.

Some sets of asynchronous videogame content may not be available to allof the player controlled characters. For example, some sets ofasynchronous videogame content may be “locked”. To unlock previouslylocked sets of asynchronous videogame content, a player may be requiredto control a corresponding player controlled character to perform somepredetermined task or set of tasks. For example, one set of asynchronousvideogame content may only be accessible, or unlocked, after successfulparticipation in another set of asynchronous videogame content.Successful participation in another set of asynchronous videogamecontent may include completion of the set of asynchronous videogamecontent, performance in excess of some performance threshold in the setof asynchronous videogame content (e.g., winning, beating a scorethreshold, beating a timing threshold, and/or other performancethresholds), performance of some task or activity within the set ofasynchronous videogame content, and/or other standards for success inparticipation in the set of asynchronous videogame content.

The game module 22 may be configured such that the sets of asynchronousvideogame content may be accessible through synchronization points. Oneor more of the sets of asynchronous videogame content are onlyaccessible through a corresponding synchronization point.Synchronization points may include locations within the virtual spacecorresponding to the videogame. The synchronization points may includesynchronous locations in the virtual space in which player controlledcharacters can interact with and/or observe each other in real-time ornear real-time. The synchronization points may be asynchronous locationsin the virtual space defined by asynchronous videogame content. The gamemodule 22 may be configured to enable real-time and/or near real-timecommunication between players present at a synchronization point. Suchcommunication may be accomplished via text chat, instant messaging,voice chat, and/or other communication mechanisms. To access asynchronization point, a player controlled character may be required tointeract with a non-player character, perform a challenge, win achallenge, find an item, enter a code, and/or perform other activities.

The group module 24 may be configured to form character groups of playercontrolled characters. The character groups of player controlledcharacters may be formed at the synchronization points in the videogame.In order to form the character groups, group module 24 may be configuredto identify player controlled characters present simultaneously atindividual synchronization points. In identifying characters that arepresent simultaneously, group module 24 may consider time in the realworld and/or time within the videogame. For example, the time in thevideogame may be different for different player controlled charactersbeing controlled by players playing the videogame at the same time inthe real world. Time may vary in the videogame based on time spentplaying the videogame (e.g., for a single session or cumulatively),based on achievement in the videogame, and/or according to otherparameters.

The group module 24 may be configured to form character groupsautomatically. The groups may be determined based on arrival time at thesynchronization point (e.g., each set of four consecutive arrivals);based on races, classes, skills, abilities, and/or other features of theplayer controlled characters at the synchronization point (e.g., somenumber of healers, some number of tanks, some number of casters, somenumber of damage inflicting characters, and/or other criteria); based onplayer controlled character relationships (e.g., factions, guilds,friends, and/or other relationships); and/or based on other criteria.The character groups formed automatically by group module 24 may beimposed on the player controlled characters at the synchronizationpoint. The character groups formed automatically by group module 24 maybe suggested to the players controlling the player controlledcharacters.

The group module 24 may be configured to receive group requests fromplayers controlling player controlled characters at the synchronizationpoint. The group requests may be requests to include two or more playercontrolled characters in the same character group. The group module 24may be configured to receive group requests from players via a userinterface presented to players through client computing platforms 16.

By way of illustration, FIG. 2 shows a user interface 32 configured toreceive group requests from players to group player controlledcharacters at a synchronization point. The user interface 32 may includeone or more of a title field 34, a requestor field 36, a group namefield 38, one or more group participant fields 40, and/or other fieldsor information. The title field 34 may display the title of thesynchronization point and/or a set of asynchronous videogame contentaccessed through the synchronization point. Providing the title of theset of asynchronous videogame content may be significant if thesynchronization point provides access to more than one set ofasynchronous videogame content. The requestor field 36 may be configuredto display and/or receive player selection or entry of the name of theplayer controlled character controlled by the player generating thegroup request. The group name field 38 may be configured to receiveplayer selection or entry of a group name for the character group beingrequested by the group request. The group participant fields 40 may beconfigured to receive player selection or entry of individual playercontrolled characters to be included in the character group.

Returning to FIG. 1, the group module 24 may be configured to presentgroup invitations to players controlling player controlled charactersthat have been invited to join a character group (e.g., by virtue of agroup request), and/or players controlling player controlled charactersthat have been automatically grouped by group module 24. The groupinvitations may be presented to the players via a user interfaceprovided to the players through client computing platforms 16. The groupmodule 24 may be configured to receive responses of the players to thegroup invitations. The responses may include acceptances, rejections,and/or proposed modifications to the character group (e.g., to includeadditional player controlled characters, and/or other modifications).

By way of illustration, FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface 42configured to present a group invitation to a player controlling aplayer controlled character at the checkpoint. The user interface 42 mayinclude one or more of a title field 44, a requestor field 46, a groupname field 48, one or more group participant fields 50, a modificationfield 52, an acceptance/rejection field 54, and/or other fields. Thetitle field 44 may be configured to present the title of thesynchronization point and/or a set of asynchronous videogame contentthat is accessed through the synchronization point. The requestor field46 may be configured to present information identifying the playercontrolled character controlled by the player that requested thecharacter group associated with the group invitation to be generated.This may include the player controlled character's name. The group namefield 48 may be configured to present the name of the character groupcorresponding to the group invitation. The group participant fields 50may be configured to present information identifying other playercontrolled characters that have been or will be invited to join thecharacter group, and/or information identifying other player controlledcharacters already in the character group. The modification field 52 maybe configured to receive player selection or entry of modifications toinformation presented in one or more of title field 44, requestor field46, group name field 48, and/or group participant fields 50. In someimplementations, modifications may be selected and/or entered by theplayer directly into the field to be modified, rather than throughmodification field 52. The acceptance/rejection field 54 may beconfigured to receive player selection or entry of an acceptance or arejection to join the character group.

Returning to FIG. 1, secondary instance module 26 may be configured togenerate secondary instances of player controlled characters. Asecondary instance of a player controlled character may be an instanceof a player controlled character that will not be controlled by theplayer that typically controls the player controlled character. Thesecondary instance of a player controlled character may include and/orhave access to some or all of the skills, attributes, visualcharacteristics, inventory, alliances, and/or other characteristics ofthe player controlled character. The secondary instance of a playercontrolled character may constitute a duplicate of the player controlledcharacter, or may be modified. The modification may be purposeful todesignate that the secondary instance is indeed a secondary instancethat is not controlled by the player corresponding to the playercontrolled character. For example, the visual representation of thesecondary instance may be visually marked as a secondary instance.

Responsive to a character group being formed by group module 24 at asynchronization point, secondary instance module 26 may be configured togenerate secondary instances of the player controlled characters in thecharacter group such that a secondary character group is formed for eachof the player controlled characters that includes a single playercontrolled character and secondary instances of the other playercontrolled characters in the character group. By way of non-limitingillustration, FIG. 4 illustrates a character group 56 including a firstplayer controlled character 58, a second player controlled character 60,and a third player controlled character 62.

FIG. 5 illustrates a set of secondary character groups 64, 66, and 68that correspond to first player controlled character 58, second playercontrolled character 60, and third player controlled character 62,respectively. As can be seen in FIG. 5, secondary character group 64 mayinclude first player controlled character 58 and secondary instances 70of the second player controlled character and the third playercontrolled character. The secondary character group 66 may includesecond player controlled character 60 and secondary instances 72 of thefirst player controlled character and the third player controlledcharacter. The secondary character group 68 may include third playercontrolled character 62 and secondary instances 74 of the second playercontrolled character and the third player controlled character. As isdiscussed herein, secondary character group 64 may accompany firstplayer controlled character 58 within a first instance of the set ofasynchronous videogame content while secondary character group 66 mayaccompany second player controlled character 60 within a second instanceof the set of asynchronous videogame content and/or the secondarycharacter group 68 may accompany third player controlled character 62within a third instance of the set of asynchronous videogame content.

Returning to FIG. 1, responsive to formation of a character group bygroup module 24 and the generation of secondary instances of the playercontrolled characters in the character group, game module 22 may furtherbe configured to generate separate instances of the set of asynchronousvideogame content for the individual player controlled characters in thecharacter group and their corresponding secondary character groups. Eachinstance of the set of asynchronous videogame content may be provided toan individual player controlling one of the player controlled charactersin the character group. A given player may control his player controlledcharacter within his instance of the set of asynchronous videogamecontent while the player controlled character is accompanied by acorresponding secondary character group made up of secondary instancesof the other player controlled characters in the character group. Sincethe set of asynchronous videogame content is asynchronous, the instanceof the set of asynchronous videogame content provided to the givenplayer will not reflect control of other players in their separateinstances of the set of asynchronous videogame content.

The character control module 28 may be configured to control secondaryinstances of player controlled characters in asynchronous videogamecontent. This may include automatically controlling secondary instancesof player controlled characters accompanying a player controlledcharacter being controlled by a player through a set of asynchronousvideogame content. By way of example, referring back to FIG. 5,secondary instances 70 may be automatically controlled within a firstinstance of a set of asynchronous videogame content to accompany firstplayer controlled character 58. The secondary instances 72 may beautomatically controlled within a second instance of the set ofasynchronous videogame content to accompany second player controlledcharacter 60. The secondary instances 74 may be automatically controlledwithin a third instance of the set of asynchronous videogame content toaccompany third player controlled character 62.

It will be appreciated that the term “automatically controlled” may notrefer to control over secondary instances of player controlledcharacters that is fully automated, but instead to control oversecondary instances of player controlled characters that is separatefrom control inputs provided by the players that control the actualplayer controlled characters corresponding to the secondary instances.For example, with respect to secondary character group 64, in the firstinstance of the set of asynchronous videogame content, the playercontrolling first player controlled character 58 may partially controlsecondary instances 70. This may include setting objectives, selectingweapons, requesting assistance, selecting position (e.g., during a fightand/or at other times), and/or other direction and/or control. The term“automatically controlled” may refer to the fact that secondaryinstances 70 are not controlled by inputs received from the playerscontrolling second player controlled character 60 and/or third playercontrolled character 62. Instead, inputs that control secondaryinstances 70 are generated automatically (outside of the directionand/or partial control received from the player controlling first playercontrolled character 58).

The status module 30 may be configured to receive information related tothe progress of player controlled characters in character groups withinsets of asynchronous videogame content. The status module 30 may beconfigured to generate, based on the received information, statusupdates to group members of the player controlled characters regardingthe progress of the player controlled characters within the asynchronousvideogame content. The status updates may be presented to the players ina user interface provided through client computing platforms 16. Theuser interface may include views of the videogame, with the statusupdates being presented in a real-time or near real-time manner.

For example, referring back to FIG. 5, progress information may bereceived for one or more of secondary character group 64, secondarycharacter group 66, and/or secondary character group 68. Status updatesmay be generated to the player controlling first player controlledcharacter 58 as to the progress of secondary character group 66 and/orsecondary character group 68 in the set of asynchronous videogamecontent. The status updates may include status information related tothe secondary instances 72 and 74 of the first player controlledcharacter and/or group status information.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method 76 of simulating group play withinasynchronous videogame content. The operations of method 76 presentedbelow are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 76may be accomplished with one or more additional operations notdescribed, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed.Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 76 areillustrated in FIG. 6 and described below is not intended to belimiting.

In some embodiments, method 76 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 76 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 76.

At an operation 78, a videogame may be provided to players such that theplayer can participate in the videogame by controlling player controlledcharacters. This may include generating views of the videogame that canbe presented to the players. In some implementations, operation 78 maybe performed by a game module similar to or the same as game module 22(shown in FIG. 1 and described above).

At an operation 80, player controlled characters present at asynchronization point may be identified. The player controlledcharacters identified at operation 80 may include one or more of a firstplayer controlled character, a second player controlled character, athird player controlled character, and/or other player controlledcharacters. The synchronization point may include a location within avirtual space associated with the videogame. The synchronization pointmay be an access point for one or more sets of asynchronous videogamecontent within the videogame. The one or more sets of asynchronousvideogame content may include a first set of asynchronous videogamecontent. In some implementations, operation 80 may be performed by agroup module similar to or the same as group module 24 (shown in FIG. 1and described above).

At an operation 82, one or more character groups may be formed from theplayer controlled characters identified at operation 80. The one or morecharacter groups may be formed automatically and/or based on grouprequests received from players. Operation 80 may include generatinggroup invitations to players controlling player controlled charactersand/or receiving responses to the group invitations indicatingacceptance and/or rejection of the group invitations. The one or morecharacter groups formed at operation 82 may include a first charactergroup. The first character group may include the first player controlledcharacter, the second player controlled character, the third playercontrolled character, and/or other player controlled characters. In someimplementations, operation 82 may be performed by a group module similarto or the same as group module 24 (shown in FIG. 1 and described above).

At an operation 84, separate instances of the sets of asynchronousvideogame content may be generated for individual players controllingplayer controlled characters included in one of the character groupsformed at operation 82. The separate instances of the sets ofasynchronous videogame content may include a first instance, a secondinstance, a third instance, and/or other instances of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content. The first instance of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content may be generated for the playercontrolling the first player controlled character. The second instanceof the first set of asynchronous videogame content may be generated forthe player controlling the second player controlled character. The thirdinstance of the first set of asynchronous videogame content may begenerated for the player controlling the third player controlledcharacter. In some implementations, operation 84 may be performed by agame module similar to or the same as game module 22 (shown in FIG. 1and described above).

At an operation 86, secondary instances of player controlled charactersincluded in the character groups may be generated. The secondaryinstances of player controlled characters may be placed into secondarycharacter groups with an individual player controlled character withwhich they have been grouped at operation 82. Operation 86 may includegenerating secondary instances of the first player controlled character,the secondary player controlled character, the third player controlledcharacter, and/or other player controlled characters for inclusion in afirst secondary character group corresponding to the first playercontrolled character, a second secondary character group correspondingto the second player controlled character, a third secondary charactergroup corresponding to the third player controlled character, and/orother secondary character groups. The first secondary character groupmay include a secondary instance of the second player controlledcharacter, a secondary instance of the third player controlledcharacter, secondary instances of other player controlled characters,and/or the first player controlled character. The second secondarycharacter group may include a secondary instance of the first playercontrolled character, a secondary instance of the third playercontrolled character, other secondary instances, and/or the secondplayer controlled character. The third secondary character group mayinclude a secondary instance of the first player controlled character, asecondary instance of the second player controlled character, othersecondary instances, and/or the third player controlled character.Operation 86 may be performed by a secondary instance module similar toor the same as secondary instance module 26 (shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed above).

At an operation 88, the secondary instances of the player controlledcharacters may be controlled to accompany player controlled characterswithin the separate instances of the sets of asynchronous videogamecontent. The secondary instances of player controlled characters in thefirst secondary character group may be automatically controlled whileaccompanying the first player controlled character in the first instanceof the first set of asynchronous videogame content. The secondaryinstances of the player controlled characters in the second secondarycharacter group may be automatically controlled while accompanying thesecond player controlled character in the second instance of the firstset of asynchronous videogame content. The secondary instances of theplayer controlled characters in the third secondary character group maybe automatically controlled while accompanying the third playercontrolled character in the third instance of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content. In some implementations, operation 88may be performed by a character control module similar to or the same ascharacter control module 28 (shown in FIG. 1 and described above).

At an operation 90, a determination may be made as to whether individualsecondary character groups have emerged from their correspondinginstances of sets of asynchronous videogame content. Emerging from aninstance of a set of asynchronous videogame content may includesuccessfully completing the set of asynchronous videogame content,failing to complete the set of asynchronous videogame content, choosingan exit from the set of asynchronous videogame content, and/or othermechanisms for ceasing participation in the set of asynchronousvideogame content. Successful completion of the set of asynchronousvideogame content may require one or more of completion of a task,completion of a puzzle, defeating an opponent, perform a skill, win agame, create and/or use an item, exchange one or more messages with oneor more other characters (player controlled or system controlled),purchase and/or sell one or more items, be in a particular location at aparticular date and/or time, possess a particular item and/or set ofitems at a particular date and/or time, any combination of any of theabove, and/or other activities.

During participation in the set of asynchronous videogame content, oneor more secondary instances of player controlled characters in asecondary character group may leave the secondary character group. Forexample, a secondary instance may be killed, may be banished, may besent to perform a side mission and/or tangential task, and/or mayotherwise be separated from the secondary character group. This may havelittle to no impact on a player controlled character corresponding to asecondary instance that has been separated from its secondary charactergroup. This may be because the secondary instance is not controlled bythe player that controls the corresponding player controlled character(e.g., the player that controls the first player controlled characterdoes not control the secondary instance of the first player controlledcharacter).

If a given secondary character group (e.g., the player controlledcharacter of the given secondary character group and one or moresecondary instances in the given secondary character group) are still inthe corresponding instance of the set of asynchronous videogame content,operation 88 continues to control the secondary instances. If a givensecondary character group emerges from the instance of the set ofasynchronous videogame content, then method 76 may proceed accordingly.In some implementations, operation 90 may be performed by a game modulesimilar to or the same as game module 22 (shown in FIG. 1 and describedabove).

In some implementations, a series of sets of asynchronous videogamecontent may be strung together, one after the next, such that assecondary character groups emerge from a set of asynchronous videogamecontent, the player controlled characters in the secondary charactergroups become present at a next synchronization point. In suchimplementations, one or more sets of asynchronous videogame content mayonly be accessible through successful completion of a preceding set ofasynchronous videogame content. For example, a second set ofasynchronous videogame content may only be accessible after successfulcompletion of the first set of asynchronous videogame content. At thenext synchronization point, method 76 may begin again at operation 80,this time preparing and providing separate instances of a second set ofasynchronous videogame content to the player controlled characters inthe manner described above. As such, at the next synchronization point,new character groups may be formed to proceed to the next set ofasynchronous videogame content (e.g., the second set of asynchronousvideogame content). It will be appreciated that the description of a“next” synchronization point may refer to a previously accessedsynchronization point. In such implementations, the previously accessedsynchronization point may provide access to a new set of asynchronousvideogame content only to player controlled characters that havesuccessfully completed the previous set of asynchronous videogamecontent.

In some cases, some of the secondary character groups that started a setof asynchronous videogame content, such as the first asynchronousvideogame content, may not make it to the next synchronization point.For example, the player controlled character of a secondary charactergroup may die, the player controlling the player controlled charactermay choose to no longer participate in the set of asynchronous videogamecontent without reaching a successful conclusion, and/or the playercontrolled character may leave the set of asynchronous videogame contentthrough other mechanisms. As such, as player controlled charactersproceed through the chain of synchronization points, fewer and fewer ofthe player controlled characters with which they were previously groupedmay make it. A character group may proceed with the reduced numberand/or the character group may be provided the opportunity to includeplayer controlled characters not previously included to round out theirnumber.

The chaining of synchronization points and sets of asynchronousvideogame content may enable players to proceed with automaticallycontrolled companions (the secondary instances) through discretesections of content, and then emerge and discuss how their experiencecompared to others in their character group. As player controlledcharacters in the character group drop out, the attrition may replicate,to an extent, the attrition of a character group in synchronousvideogame content as player controlled characters drop out of a quest oractivity due to lack of success and/or interest.

As was discussed above, completion of one or more sets of asynchronousvideogame content may result in gaining a benefit within the videogame.In some implementations, if a secondary instance of a player controlledcharacter completes a set of asynchronous videogame content within asecondary character group, the player controlled character correspondingto the secondary instance may receive a benefit along with the playercontrolled character that was included in the secondary character group.The benefit provided to the player controlled character corresponding tothe secondary instance may be lesser than the benefit received by theplayer controlled character included in the secondary character group.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to simulate group play withinasynchronous videogame content, the system comprising: one or moreprocessors configured to execute computer program modules, the computerprogram modules comprising: a game module configured to generate viewsof a videogame for presentation to players that enable the individualplayers to participate in the videogame such that the individual playerscontrol corresponding player controlled characters within the videogame,the videogame comprising a first set of asynchronous videogame contentthat is accessible to the player controlled characters through a firstsynchronization point in the videogame, wherein the game module isconfigured to generate views of separate instances of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content that are provided to individual playerssuch that individual players that participate in the first set ofasynchronous videogame do so separately from each other; a group moduleconfigured to form groups of player controlled characters from playercontrolled characters simultaneously located at the firstsynchronization point in the videogame; and a character control moduleconfigured to automatically control player controlled characters in thefirst set of asynchronous videogame content; the game module and thecharacter control module being further configured such that responsiveto a first player controlled character controlled by a first playerbeing grouped at the first synchronization point with other playercontrolled characters into a character group, secondary instances of theother player controlled characters in the character group areautomatically controlled to accompany the first player controlledcharacter in a first instance of the first set of asynchronous videogamecontent while the first player controlled character is controlled in thefirst instance of the first set of asynchronous videogame content by thefirst player.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the game module and thecharacter control module are further configured such that responsive tothe other player controlled characters included in the character groupincluding a second player controlled character controlled by a secondplayer, a secondary instance of the second player controlled characteris automatically controlled by the character control module to accompanythe first player controlled character in the first instance of the firstset of asynchronous videogame content.
 3. The system of claim 2, whereinthe game module and the character control module are further configuredsuch that responsive to the other player controlled characters includedin the character group including the second player controlled charactercontrolled by the second player, a secondary instance of the firstplayer controlled character is automatically controlled by the charactercontrol module to accompany the second player controlled character in asecond instance of the first set of asynchronous videogame content, andwherein the second player controlled character is under the control ofthe second player in the second instance of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thegroup module is configured such that a group of player controlledcharacters is formed responsive to reception of acceptances ofmembership in the group by players controlling the player controlledcharacters to be included in the group.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the first synchronization point includes a virtual location inthe videogame.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the group module isconfigured such that player controlled characters are grouped only withother player controlled characters present at the synchronization pointcontemporaneously.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the game module isfurther configured such that the videogame includes a second set ofasynchronous videogame content that is accessible to the playercontrolled characters through a second synchronization point in thevideogame.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the game module is furtherconfigured such that the second synchronization point in the videogameis only accessible subsequent to participating in the first set ofasynchronous videogame content.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein thecharacter control module is configured such that in the first instanceof the first set of asynchronous videogame content at least partialcontrol of one or more of the secondary instances of the other playercontrolled characters in the character group is selectively ceded to thefirst player by the character control module.
 10. A computer-implementedmethod of simulating group play within asynchronous videogame content,the method being implemented in a computer system comprising one or moreprocessors configured to execute computer program modules, the methodcomprising: generating views of a videogame for presentation to playersthat enable the individual players to participate in the videogame suchthat the individual players control corresponding player controlledcharacters within the videogame, the videogame comprising a first set ofasynchronous videogame content that is accessible to the playercontrolled characters through a first synchronization point in thevideogame; identifying player controlled characters simultaneouslypresent at the first synchronization point in the videogame; forming acharacter group of player controlled characters from the playercontrolled characters simultaneously present at the firstsynchronization point in the videogame, the character group including afirst player controlled character controlled by a first player;generating views of a first instance of the first set of asynchronousvideogame content for presentation solely to the first player thatenable the first player to control the first player controlled characterwithin the first set of asynchronous videogame content separately fromany other players; generating secondary instances of the other playercontrolled characters in the character group with the first playercontrolled character; and automatically controlling the secondaryinstances of the other player controlled characters in the first set ofasynchronous videogame content such that the secondary instances of theother player controlled characters accompany the first player controlledcharacter in the first instance of the first set of asynchronousvideogame content without the control of the players corresponding tothe other player controlled characters.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein responsive to the other player controlled characters included inthe character group including a second player controlled charactercontrolled by a second player, a secondary instance of the second playercontrolled character is generated and automatically controlled toaccompany the first player controlled character in the first instance ofthe first set of asynchronous videogame content without the control ofthe second player.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:responsive to the other player controlled characters included in thecharacter group including the second player controlled charactercontrolled by the second player, generating views of a second instanceof the first set of asynchronous videogame content for presentationsolely to the second player that enable the second player to control thesecond player controlled character within the first set of asynchronousvideogame content separately from any other players; generating asecondary instance of the first player controlled character; andautomatically controlling the secondary instance of the first playercontrolled character in the first set of asynchronous videogame contentsuch that the secondary instance of the first player controlledcharacter accompanies the second player controlled character in thesecond instance of the first set of asynchronous videogame contentwithout the control of the first player.
 13. The method of claim 10,wherein forming a character group of player controlled characters fromthe player controlled characters simultaneously present at the firstsynchronization point in the videogame comprises forming the charactergroup responsive to reception of acceptances of membership in the groupby players controlling the player controlled characters to be includedin the character group.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the firstsynchronization point includes a virtual location in the videogame. 15.The method of claim 10, wherein the videogame includes a second set ofasynchronous videogame content that is accessible to the playercontrolled characters through a second synchronization point in thevideogame.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the secondsynchronization point in the videogame is only accessible subsequent toparticipating in the first set of asynchronous videogame content. 17.The method of claim 10, wherein automatically controlling the secondaryinstances of the other player controlled characters in the first set ofasynchronous videogame content includes selectively ceding at leastpartial control of one or more of the secondary instances of the otherplayer controlled characters in the character group to the first playerin the first instance of the first set of asynchronous videogamecontent.
 18. A computer-implemented method of simulating group playwithin asynchronous videogame content, the method being implemented in acomputer system comprising one or more processors configured to executecomputer program modules, the method comprising: forming a charactergroup of player controlled characters from the player controlledcharacters simultaneously present at a first synchronization point in avideogame, the character group including a first player controlledcharacter controlled by a first player, a second player controlledcharacter controlled by a second player, and a third player controlledcharacter controlled by a third player; and responsive to formation ofthe character group, generating a first instance of a first set ofasynchronous videogame content in which the first player controlledcharacter is controllable by the first player, and in which secondaryinstances of the second player controlled character and the third playercontrolled character accompany the first player controlled characterwithout control from the second player or the third player.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising, responsive to formation of thecharacter group, generating a second instance of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content in which the second player controlledcharacter is controllable by the second player, and in which secondaryinstances of the first player controlled character and the third playercontrolled character accompany the second player controlled characterwithout control from the first player or the third player.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising, responsive to formation of thecharacter group, generating a third instance of the first set ofasynchronous videogame content in which the third player controlledcharacter is controllable by the third player, and in which the firstplayer controlled character and the second player controlled characteraccompany the third player controlled character without control from thefirst player or the second player.